Colostrum collecting

Being relaxed is key, massage gently for a few minutes then using your thumb and forefinger squeeze around your areola, don’t squeeze the nipple as this could cause trauma. The earliest I’ve seen that you can start collecting by expressing it is 36 weeks which is what I was told but others have been told 37 weeks x

You’re not supposed to start until 37 weeks, some have said 36 but it can induce early labour. I definitely wouldn’t use a pump as it’s too thick and sticky and comes out in tiny drops anyway, but also the pump won’t necessarily activate the ducts the way hand expression does (that’s why they say to wait until milk comes in to pump). I’ve just been googling different ways and found making the C shape then pressing inwards towards chest and then compressing the ducts around the outer part of the nipple worked. You do have to massage for a while first, a hot shower also worked for me yesterday. Don’t get me wrong it’s just taken me 30 mins to get 0.2ml🤣

Thanks all, very helpful!!

I’m 37+1 started hand expressing yesterday when I hit 37 weeks, the way I do it is I gotta massage around the nipple for a little bit and then gently squeeze and compress and the colostrum comes out. Pumping doesn’t really do much at the moment other then bring tiny droplets out so at the moment hand expressing is much easier and quicker. Stay relaxed while you do it. I’ve been told I had to wait till 37 weeks as it’s suppose to bring on early labour. Once expressed I then put into breast milk bags and freeze them x

Why are you expressing that early?

@Anna I was told 36 weeks, but worried because nothing seems to be happening.

@Kally thank you hun☺️